ESRB rates unannounced Wii games

Ratings board database suggests a selection of Sega classics are headed to Nintendo's new console; new family-friendly titles coming as well.

Nintendo is expected to take the wraps off its plans for the Nintendo Wii later this week, but it appears some of the publisher's possible announcements have leaked out from the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, of all places.

The ESRB's online database lists 18 rated games for the Wii, half of which have not been officially announced. Seven of the games are classic Sega titles that would probably be suitable for the Wii's Virtual Console, which will let Wii owners download and play older games on their system using system emulation software. They include Altered Beast, Columns, Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe, Ristar, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Toe Jam & Earl. All those titles are rated E for Everyone and listed as appearing only on the Wii.

The ESRB database also shows a pair of previously unannounced Wii ports of licensed games. The board has already doled out an E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older rating for a Wii version of Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, and an E for Everyone rating for VeggieTales: LarryBoy and The Bad Apple. Already available on the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance, LarryBoy versions on the PC, GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation Portable have also been rated, according to the site.

It's worth noting that the ESRB database isn't flawless. Earlier this year it listed the Eidos action shooter Urban Chaos: Riot Response as rated AO for Adults Only, when it actually had been granted an M for Mature. The ESRB later corrected the mistake.

86 Comments

  • SHUTupNrocK8

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 6:32 pm GMT

    huh

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 4:31 pm GMT

    I didn't know this was possible

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 6:55 am GMT

    interesting

  • noonlight

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 1:54 am GMT

    is that your age Owt_Ytrof?

  • oboewan9999

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 4:08 pm GMT

    "esrb is worthless because the (stupid) parents still buy the games for their kids (that the kids shouldn't play).

    It actually serves the purpose of shifting responsibility from game developers to parents. If a kid has an M-rated game, it's not the fault of the developer, it's someone in retail or the kid's dad buying him games."

    I couldn't have put it better myself. Any media rating system is only as good as the people who listen to it.

  • Reecosun

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 2:10 pm GMT

    i want Nights on the wii ITS A GREAT GAME

  • Travis281

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 12:35 pm GMT

    chrisdojo
    esrb is worthless because the (stupid) parents still buy the games for their kids (that the kids shouldn't play).

    It actually serves the purpose of shifting responsibility from game developers to parents. If a kid has an M-rated game, it's not the fault of the developer, it's someone in retail or the kid's dad buying him games.

  • Owt_Ytrof

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 10:29 am GMT

    "As much as I like cucumbers with plungers on their heads.... No.... "

    Cucumbers have heads?

  • GKBeetle

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 10:13 am GMT

    Cool. I've never played Ecco. Can't wait to get my hands on that virtual console.

  • wizaro1

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 9:30 am GMT

    As much as I like cucumbers with plungers on their heads.... No....

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 7:51 am GMT

    Not the most interesting stuff, but it at least reveals some more games coming for the Wii. And more support is great, even if it's VeggieTales.

  • coltACP

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 6:56 am GMT

    aye good news, the virtual console details on actual initially released games are a bit thin on the ground, it looks like Sega have backed up the VC with some nice games, i know i'll be downloading Golden axe on launch day thats for sure. The Wii is looking to offer any type of gamer exactly what they want :-), which is important in gaming, catering for the differnt needs of an expanding market, even the niche.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 6:01 am GMT

    esrb is worthless because the (stupid) parents still buy the games for their kids (that the kids shouldn't play).

  • faizali86

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 5:56 am GMT

    esrb making mistakes for rating a game? thats worse than i thought

  • JoePiervincenti

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 5:33 am GMT

    These are probably just Virtual Console games....

  • BlissfulGopher

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 3:00 am GMT

    Sure the game will suck, but VeggieTales still rock!

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 1:17 am GMT

    Altered Beast and Golden Axe = ownage.

  • Bmaa

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 12:38 am GMT

    What is VeggieTales anyway?

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 11:42 pm GMT

    Excited for the Sega classics, don't give a rat's ass about VeggieTales.

  • ArkansasBoy91

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 10:50 pm GMT

    Why would we care about this???? i mean i dont. all im caring about is SEP 14. COME ONNNNNNN

  • sinceps1

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 10:40 pm GMT

    "Pablo620
    Wii is headed to the same audience that Gamecube was headed to. I just dont see how casual gamers want a more complicated control system. Casual gamers want super nintendo 2D gaming, not Wiimote gaming, and not veggie tales: larryboy and the bad apple"

    Dude. 2D = Sega games mentioned in the article.

    I gotta agree that there isn't much to be said but still, you contradict about everything you say in your post.

  • x-wing20

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 8:55 pm GMT

    nothing of rel intrest except for the sega games

  • BassBoy45

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 8:16 pm GMT

    NO new on Zelda

  • jimmy_bean

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 8:02 pm GMT

    Anyone who looks at the games listed above, and repeats the nintendo is for kiddies line, is ill informed at best. The Wii already has more third party support than the Gamecube ever had, we will see plenty of mature themed games. And just because Nintendo creates non offensive games with simple and fun controls doesnt make them "kiddie". If you choose your games purely on image alone, maybe you need to ask yourself who is being kiddie. Gameplay is all that matters, and nintendo has always proved that you dont NEED excessive blood, guns, and debauchery to be fun. Thats not to say i dont ever want them to create games geared toward an older audience, as i hope they do. But even if they never did that is what third partys are good at........and like i said third party support is excellent thus far for the Wii, take Ubisoft for example. Needless to say i will be enjoying many types of games for Wii this winter, their lineup is looking awesome. Metroid, Zelda, Madden, Red Steel, Mario Galaxies(if its out by xmas), Far Cry, Splinter Cell, Call of Duty 3, Sonic, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy Crystal chronicles, Excite Truck, Rayman....all of which look very promising....and thats just the ones i can remember......doesnt look too kiddie to me.

  • t-bag11

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 7:14 pm GMT

    some good vc games. it looks like there's a lot of ignorant people out tonight. you forget this is a very small and quite obvious list on ratings. there's no indication of what the other unofficial titles are. most of the best games don't come right out at launch so get over yourselves.

  • Pablo620

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 5:57 pm GMT

    Wii is headed to the same audience that Gamecube was headed to. I just dont see how casual gamers want a more complicated control system. Casual gamers want super nintendo 2D gaming, not Wiimote gaming, and not veggie tales: larryboy and the bad apple

  • skipyou

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:49 pm GMT

    all the games i know of here suk

  • awarriorofgamin

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:37 pm GMT

    blah blah blah i want a price im sick of hearing all this crap

  • Murpheus007

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:57 pm GMT

    The 14th should be interesting. I hope, just for the sake of some kind of balance, that they come out with some mildly dissapointing news. If it's all rainbows and butterflies, I think I might puke up white spotted red mushrooms.

  • nappan

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:36 pm GMT

    I admit I used to love Golden Axe and Altered beast... 10 years ago. In an arcade. For a few minutes. Even if this is a remake and not a port I am not too interested. I only hope they don't keep churning out these kind of titles with the occasional mario and zelda. If so, this will be like the gamecube... wait 3-4 years, buy cheap, use briefly, discard.

  • dell900

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:22 pm GMT

    september is the day that wii will know everything, but lets hope nintendo wont delay any more news.

  • Chainblast

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:42 pm GMT

    I hope September 14th is not a let-down.

  • Brokendemise

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:35 pm GMT

    omg omg omg omg omg omg omg 2 days foos

  • NandoSupes

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:20 pm GMT

    Sep the 14th , boy oh boy can't wait!!

  • gamefan1980

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:13 pm GMT

    Sept 14th, we shall know all about the Wii...

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:13 pm GMT

    ya those are easy game to rate

  • gamer_10001

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:10 pm GMT

    I want prices and a launch date.

  • Shakrano

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:09 pm GMT

    Golden Axe, Toejam and Earl. Niiiice

  • gojays

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:51 pm GMT

    yay ecco the dolphin! lol that game was surprisingly good

  • MegaManX9101

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:44 pm GMT

    I wonder how the ratings are gonna go for the older games. I'm pretty sure that esrb kidna emerged a lil after the SNES and Genesis Generation....

  • RunnerGunner480

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:38 pm GMT

    I heard about that ESRB stuff weeks/months ago with VeggieTales and Ice Age. The VC stuff seems new though. 2 more days!

  • SulaMoon

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:20 pm GMT

    2 more days...
    only 2 more...


    are we there yet?

  • PaulB_318

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:15 pm GMT

    Yes!!! Toe Jam & Earl! Finally! I haven't owned or played that game in years!!

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:14 pm GMT

    Release date please!

  • LoWpS

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:13 pm GMT

    oh cmon... ports??? based on MOVIES??????
    dang, i hate games like that...

  • ppsa

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:13 pm GMT

    Golden Axe was the game I was waiting from Sega, now announce the price and date for Wii on thursday, thank you...

  • santiagochile

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:04 pm GMT

    The inclusion of Sega games for the VC will make it more appealing. This Wii launch is looking to be the greatest launch in history! I know I will be there the first day to buy it. Let's hope Nintendo launches in October. We shall see soon enough!

  • NFunspoiler

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:48 pm GMT

    I hope that Nintendo is ready for this launch. And i also hope that all the devs aren't rushing their games out too quickly.

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:42 pm GMT

    Probably the largest thing keeping Nintendo from launching early is software development on launch titles. I'd rather have launch titles finished properly than ultra-rushed and left with bugs.

  • Tanpreet

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:38 pm GMT

    i wonder if they will just transfer the old ESRB ratings for the Virtual Console games.

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